Oakland Athletics players ‘are in good spirits’ amid uncertain future

The future is murky for the Oakland Athletics, but this 2024 group just keeps winning.

Oakland has won seven of their past 11 games since returning from the All-Star break while retaining talents like Brent Rookier and JJ Bleday during the recent MLB trade deadline.

The Athletic‘s Melissa Lockard joined The Drive Guys this week to to discuss how the current A’s roster is dealing with the uncertain future, shed light on how often Sacramento fans will see Oakland prospects make their debuts at Sutter Health Park, and much more.

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More on the Oakland Athletics relocation to Sacramento

The Oakland Athletics will relocate to Sacramento beginning next season, but hurdles remain in ensuring their home ballpark meets MLB standards by Opening Day 2025.

According to Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, Sutter Health Park will receive major-league upgrades–including an entirely new playing surface–before next season begins.

The West Sacramento ballpark is home of the San Francisco Giants’ AAA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, and both the Athletics and River Cats will share the diamond for at least the next three seasons as the city of Las Vegas begins construction on a stadium.

The target date for completing the Las Vegas ballpark is 2028, but many around the league are skeptical that will come to fruition. This means that MLB and Sacramento will need to upgrade Sutter Health Park for the long haul in case the A’s remain in Northern California past the 2027 season.

“They are actually constructing a separate building adjacent to the stadium that will be the home clubhouse,” Manfred said in late May at the conclusion of MLB’s spring owner meetings, per The Athletic‘s Evan Drellich.

“They’re renovating the visiting clubhouse. There’s going to be new artificial turf installed. They are upgrading the camera capability, so they get major-league quality broadcasts out of Sacramento,” Manfred continued. “There are some revenue-associated renovations: some club seating and video boards that are being done in the stadium.

Coming in 2025 to Sutter Health Park ⬇️https://t.co/MDwdcghGOV pic.twitter.com/BLvOWXaP9i

— Oakland A’s (@Athletics) July 18, 2024

“So, there’s a lot going on there to get it up to snuff for the interim period. They’ve had great receptivity. I think they have seat deposits from, like, 13,000 people or something. They’re doing okay.”

Sutter Health Park and the River Cats are owned by Vivek Ranadive, owner of the Sacramento Kings.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Ranadive said. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.”

Major League Baseball approved the Athletics’ proposal for relocation to Las Vegas in November.

Plans are in place for a $1.5 billion, nine-acre stadium at the site of the Tropicana Hotel with the City of Las Vegas granting $380 million in public funding for construction in 2023. However, the ballpark will not open until at least the end of the 2027 calendar year, meaning the first season it could host the A’s in the regular season would be 2028.

Sutter Health Park opened in 2000 and has 10,624 seats, but could be modified to accommodate up to 14,000.

Upcoming Oakland Athletics Schedule

• Friday, August 2nd-Sunday, August 4th – vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
• Monday, August 5th-Wednesday, August 7th – vs. Chicago White Sox
• Friday, August 9th-Sunday, August 11th – @ Toronto Blue Jays
• Tuesday, August 13th-Thursday, August 15th – @ New York Mets

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